United Way Toronto-York announces merger with Peel

Thestar.com
Sept. 27, 2017
By Julien Gignac

The boards of United Way of Toronto-York and United Way of Peel have voted in favour of solidifying a partnership, setting in motion an expanded mandate to better assist underserved communities.

The impetus is to manage and address issues like income inequality and youth unemployment through a more regional approach, akin to the merger in 2015 between United Way's Toronto and York chapters. The success of the reformed organization helped spur the recent decision, said Daniele Zanotti, CEO of United Way of Toronto and York Region - it raised $102 million in 2016, an increase of three per cent campaign growth.

"We were able to now show we've driven more dollars into York," he said, adding that research about issues like precarious employment were made possible. "All of this local work because we were able to provide a bigger, regional infrastructure."

This year, United Way of Toronto-York are working to raise $103 million; in Peel, United Way's goal is $11.4 million.

"The 905 neighbourhoods are growing at a faster clip with deepening poverty," Zanotti said. "From a system approach, we need to be able to address poverty across the GTA."

Earlier this month, the Peel Region board unanimously agreed to amalgamate; and the Toronto-York chapter followed suit Tuesday. Formalization is dictated by United Way of Peel members, who are slated to vote on Oct. 26. If approved, the partnership will be effective April 1, 2018.

There will be 273 combined social service agencies if the merger is successful.

"This new opportunity really provides us with an ability to increase our scope, our scale, and, most importantly, our impact," said Anita Stellinga, interim CEO of United Way of Peel Region. "Poverty does not know boundaries, it's across our communities and we have that as priority across the region."

The poverty rate in the area, which encompasses Brampton, Mississauga and Caledon, is higher than provincial and national averages, Stellinga said.

"In 1980, two per cent of our neighbourhoods were considered low-income and now that figure is 45 per cent," she said. "We have extremely long waitlists for many services, such as mental health, for subsidized housing, programming for children and youth."

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Peel, which connects 1,800 youth with a range of mentorship programs, is celebrating 50 years of partnership with United Way. President and CEO Shari Lynn Ladanchuk said a merger would be proactive.

"We believe strongly that it's going to make a difference," she said. "I think poverty is pocketed throughout Peel and the GTA. Mentoring is one of the tools that can help alleviate it in our communities. With United Way's scaling up differently we'll be able to do that deeper within our localized community."

Zanotti stressed United Way's continued pledge of supporting local initiatives.

"United Way began as the community chest, intimately connected to local issues and pressures," he said.